Safety sleeping arrangement

ABSTRACT

A safety sleeping arrangement having particular adaptability to a mobile home, camper or the like, characterized as a slidable bed movable from a first position within the living unit to a second position outside of the living unit, where such movement is occasioned through spring action initiated by the release of retaining means, as by fire, providing access to and safety for the occupant of the bed.

United States Patent [1 1 Schenk et al.

[4 1 Sept. 23, 1975 SAFETY SLEEPING ARRANGEMENT Inventors: Stanley A. Schenk, 2030 Koring Rd.,

Evansville, Ind. 47712; William S. Bugg, Rt. No. 1, Box 29, Reed, Ky. 42451 Filed: Mar. 18, 1974 Appl. No.: 452,057

US. Cl. 5/10 R; 5/63 lnt. Cl. A47C 19/06; A47D 7/04 Field of Search 5/2 B, 10 R, 63

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 989,875 /1911 Reiff 5/10 R 5/1920 Henry 5/10 R Goebel 5/10 R Moore 5/10 R Primary Examiner-Paul R. Gilliam Assistant ExaminerAndrew M. Calvert Attorney, Agent, or FirmWarren D. Flackbert [57] ABSTRACT A safety sleeping arrangement having particular adaptability to a mobile home, camper or the like, characterized as a slidable bed movable from a first position within the living unit to a second position outside of the living unit, where such movement is occasioned through spring action initiated by the release of retaining means, as by fire, providing access to and safety for the occupant of the bed.

3 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures US Pamnt Sept. 23,1975 Sheet1of2 3,906,556

Wfi

U mam Sept. 23,1975 Sheet 2 of2 3 9%,556

SAFETY SLEEPING. ARRANGEMENT As is known, the, popularity of'living units, such as mobile homes, campers or the like, is widespread, one drawback of those presently on the market being in the area of safety forthe occupantsin the instance of a fire or like accident. While an adult may be capable of -leav-' ing'the living unit underthese circumstances, a sleeping and/or unattended child may be difficult to rescue, because of the fire or flame pattern and/or the position of the childs bed within the living unit.

Accordingly, a'needhas arisen to'prevent Llnnecessary injuries and deaths under the preceding circumstances. The invention satisfies such a need in"providing *a bed, normally disposed in a stationary position 1 within the living unit, but, when a fire or other accident occurs, automatically moves to a position'outside of the living unit, where the occupant of-the bed can be readily reached and moved'toapositionof safety away from the area of danger. a

Briefly, the safety sleeping arrangement of the invention'is characterized by a mattress, orthe like, disposed on a framework within the confines of a" mobile or motorhome, such framework typically being inat least two sections. The section carrying the mattr ess i's slidable upon a generally inclined fixed or stationary sec tion, where aretaining'assernbly' includes a flammable or breakable member and-resiliently controlled pivotal members.

Upon the presence of a flame, the flammable member burns or breaks, causingth'e release of the retaining assembly from a locked position and, thus, the sliding movement of the section of framework on the inclined framework section from within the living unit to a position outside the living unit. As will be understood, the bed of the invention comprises a part of an outer wall of the motor home, being separate from any access door or window.

Restated otherwise, in that the instant safety arrangement is independent of the remaining structure, i.e. the surrounding members characterizing the motor or mobile homc, the bed moves, by weight and gravitational force, to a position of safety, even if others within the living unit cannot reach the bed or in the instance where the occupant of the bed is unattended.

A better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation, partly fragmentary and partly in section, showing the safety sleeping arrangement of the invention in a normal position and in an extended broken-line position;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view, also partly fragmentary and partly in section, showing details of the retaining assembly of the invention; and,

FIG. 3 is a view in end elevation, partly broken away and also partly in section, showing the instant safety sleeping arrangement in a normal position for use.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same.

It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and furthermodifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as wouldv normallyi-occur to' one skilled in the art to whichthe 'inventionrelates..

Referring 'now to the figures, the safety sleeping arportions'l' la, disposed within the structure 16 of the motor'honie, and having upper rails 14a inclined downwardly-from the inside end of the framework 14 to the outside end thereof. A member 14b extends between the aforesaid upper rails 14a, having an anchor 14a thereon to which an end of a flammable orbreak able element, typically in the form of a rope,'is secured, for reasons which will become apparent from the discussion herebelow.

'In any event, the framework 14 includes another portion 14c's1lidable'onthe rails l4z' of the fixed or stationary portion l4a,where a bracket 19, mounting a pulley 19a receives'flammable element 20 therearound. As,

shouldbe apparent from FIG. 1, portion 14c of the framework l4'has inclined low'er rails 14c, slidably cooperative with the upper rails l -la of the fixed portion of the framework. Obviously, the type and relationship of rails employed may vary in configuration, where, it will be understood that weight and associated gravitational forces, upon release of the retaining assembly, permits the sliding action. I i I v I It should be noted at this time, and as also apparent from FIG. 1, the framework' l l mounts a mattress 22 within the confines of side wall 14d. While, in the illustrated embodiment, a sleeping child is the basic consideration, an individual of any age is equally important in end results, being, as stated, the ready removal of any such occupant from the camper or motor home in the instance of a disaster, such as a fire.

Retaining assembly 30 plays an important part in an effective operation of the invention. Typically, a subframework 30a, extending between and upwardly from the fixed or stationary portion 14a of the framework 14, includes arms 13, pivotal at 13a, in brackets 31 (only one of which is shown in FIG. 2), each of such arms 13 having an angled end carrying a roller 13b.

The inner end of each arm 13 receives a spring or like resilient means 33, the opposite end of each of the latter having an element 35 secured thereto, where one end of the aforesaid flammable or breakable element 20 is tied. Such flammable element 20 passes around the pulley 19a, as stated, and returns to a tied position on the anchor 14a".

A plate or the like 39 (again where one of which is shown in FIG. 2), typically carries the aforesaid bracket 31, and, as well, a bracket 44, the latter pivotally mounting an angle 44a against which the roller 13!; bears in a locking or retaining position. The angle 44a, normally having a plan configuration, may be retained in the illustrated locked position of FIG. 2 with the urging assistance of spring means (not shown).

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the slidable portion of the framework 14 has an inwardly projecting member 45 on each side thereof, from which a downwardly urged latch or tongue 45a extends. In other words, in a retained position, the slidable portion 14c cannot move, in that a bearing or stopping relationship exists between latch 45a and the angle 44a. The overall retaining assembly further includes spring or like resilient means 50, each interconnecting a portion of the sub-framework 30a and the arm 13 (as representatively shown in FIG. 2).

In use, and as should be apparent, when the flammable or breakable element becomes apart due to burning or the like, the arms 13, the rollers 13b of which have been maintaining the angle 44a in the locked or retained position position of FIG. 2, due to the springs 33, pivot, by springs 50, permitting each angle 44a to move. Thus, each latch or tongue 45a is free to move, where gravitational weight achieves the sliding of portion 140 of the framework 14 on the fixed or stationary portion 14a thereof. The mattress 22, with its occupant, therefore, moves to a position of safety outside of the motor home. Such occupant can then, of course, be carried away from the scene of the accident.

In order to reestablish the locked position, i.e. portion 140 over portion 14a of the framework 14, the flammable or breakable element 20 is replaced to the position of FIG. 2, such element 20 typically being stored or available in the form of a ball of rope. As slidable portion 14c moves up the inclined rails 14a of portion 14, each latch or tongue 45a passes over the angle 44a, (now in the shown position) due to the spring action of such latch or tongue 45a, and, thereafter, snaps into the stopped position bearing against the angle 44a. The springs 33 each maintain the arms 13 in a position so that the rollers 13b thereof bear against and prevent movement of the angles 44a.

Thus,.it should be apparent from the above that the invention provides an optimum safety sleeping arrangement for a motor home, or even any other type of dwelling. Obviously, the slide structure illustrated, as well as the retaining assembly, may be modified within the spirit of the invention. It should be further understood that as the overall unit is similar on each side, the description should be considered interchangeable in context. In any event, the preceding should be considered illustrative, and not as limiting the scope of the following claims:

We claim:

I. A safety sleeping arrangement comprising a framework having a fixed portion disposed within an enclosure, a movable portion slidable on said fixed portion from a first position within said enclosure to a second position extending from said enclosure, and means retaining said movable portion of said framework on said fixed portion at said first position including a flammable element selectively interlocking a pivotal arm and a stopping member, said movable portion normally bearing against said stopping member of said retaining means at said first position and released to said second position upon movement of said stopping member.

2. The safety sleeping arrangement of claim 1 where first resilient means responsive to said flammable element urge said interlocking pivotal arm and stopping member against movement of said movable portion of said framework, and where second resilient means urge said pivotal arm for movement of said movable portion of said framework.

3. The safety sleeping arrangement of claim 1 where said movable portion has a projection normally urged into said bearing relationship with said stopping member. 

1. A safety sleeping arrangement comprising a framework having a fixed portion disposed within an enclosure, a movable portion slidable on said fixed portion from a first position within said enclosure to a second position extending from said enclosure, and means retaining said movable portion of said framework on said fixed portion at said first position including a flammable element selectively interlocking a pivotal arm and a stopping member, said movable portion normally bearing against said stopping member of said retaining means at said first position and released to said second position upon movement of said stopping member.
 2. The safety sleeping arrangement of claim 1 where first resilient means responsive to said flammable element urge said interlocking pivotal arm and stopping member against movement of said movable portion of said framework, and where second resilient means urge said pivotal arm for movement of said movable portion of said framework.
 3. The safety sleeping arrangement of claim 1 where said movable portion has a projection normally urged into said bearing relationship with said stopping member. 